Green light for Gateway

The Citizen, 12 February 1999

A CONTROVERSIAL development which will transform the entrance to St Andrews from Guardbridge was approved by a committee of North East Fife councillors on Tuesday.

The application from St Andrews International Limited to erect a museum, exhibition, conference and club facilities and a car park went through by seven votes to four.

The earmarked development at North Haugh, in conjunction with St Andrews University, had been continued from last month for the developers to look at the scale of the building.

At that time, members of the East Area Development Committee had voiced their concern at the height of the building and its visual impact on the town’s skyline.

The original height of the building had been 18.3 metres but, after discussions with the developers and planning officials, the height was amended to 17.3 metres.

Tuesday’s discussions were based on the building being reduced by a further three-and-a-half metres.

East Area Planning Manager, Jim Birrell, reported that the proposed building would be an asset both to St Andrews University and the town.

“The range of uses proposed would be of direct and significant benefit to the university while, at the same time, broadening the base of attractions to visitors to the town,” he added.

“There is also sufficient flexibility in the accommodation proposed such that seasonal variations would allow the university to increase its use of the building as the need arises.”

St Andrews councillors, who are members of the committee, spoke against the development and continued to express their concern at the height of the building.

Councillor Roland Jack (Central) said that he took on board the concerns of its visual impact on St Andrews.

He added: “It will certainly spoil the view, but I suggest if you are driving you are concentrating on driving.

“It seems to me that there are certain members who don’t want the development at any price.”